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To my surprise, my boss sent me an email this morning. His email said - your rating in the yearly review is downgraded from what I had given you in the review meeting last week. I have to do this because after reviewing the project budget again, I 've found there were many delays.

I am wondering what kind of company is this? I would have felt it that bad if he had given me this rating in the proper review meeting instead of going back and bouncing this email after one week.

I would have thought you both signed the review form at the original meeting and that the signatures had some binding agreement. You could probably push him on that aspect but it depends on how secure you feel as to how hard you would want to push him.

My review rating is linked to both my bonus and my pay rise so I would probably not stand for it.

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. AdamsYou must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von BraunOnly two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein

Dear boss,
After looking over your review procedure I have decided you need to be downgraded. Being I aware of the project situation prior to my review, and not discussing any delays In the review, subsequently using such delays as a reason for downgrading my review, shows a lack of competence.

May I suggest we wipe the slate clean, and re-do the review process, perhaps this time being a little better prepared?

My reaction is similar to the views expressed on this thread by "The Reincarnation."

I would take these steps;

1. Evaluate very carefully if you can afford to leave this job now: if you can't afford a change, or job-prospects look dim where you are: ignore the rest of what I say

2. The issues of whether you, and your boss, both signed the review, and whether you have a signed copy, and whether all copies are dated, is, legally, an important one. Make sure you have that "pinned down" before contemplating any formal action.

If you have, in writing, a statement from your boss that the downgrade to your evaluation is necessary because of "budget reasons:" that's a "smoking gun" that could be very useful in any formal, or legal, action.

Also relevant, legally, are any written documents you signed when you were hired that describe your job, your status, whether you are a full-time employee, whether you receive health benefits, etc. If you are a "temp," or an "independent contrator:" I don't think you have any options here.

3. Other possible financial issues: do you have any sign-on bonus that would not be paid if you quit, or were laid-off, before some date in the future.

4. Evaluate how much "damage" the company could do to your career if you filed a legal labor-related complaint. And, labor-laws will vary from country-to-country (in the U.S., they vary from state to state). Best to consult a local labor attorney who has, hopefully, some experience in the software industry.

All this sums up, to me, in the questions: "are you willing to take action, possibly to 'go over your boss' head,' to take formal legal action which means (cue: sound of cash-register ka-ching, ka-ching) paying money to lawyers ?

Whatever you decide, good luck, Bill

"What do humans depend on: words ! We're suspended in language: we can never say what's up: or, down. We must communicate experience and ideas, but in ways that do not become ambiguous, and lose objectivity.

For parallels to quantum theory: we must turn to psychology, or to paradoxes thinkers like Buddha and Lao Tzu illuminated, examining reality, as both observer, and actor, in human life's small-scale micro-cosmic drama."